Victory takes Aodh Ruadh top of the table

Aodh Ruadh delivered another stellar performance in Father Tierney Park as they saw off the challenge of Killybegs to make it five wins in five outings.

The opening stages were even enough, but Ballyshannon assumed the ascendancy midway through the half and a 1-4 strike moving into the second quarter gave them a cushion they never looked like relinquishing.

Hugh McFadden opened the scoring after six minutes with what was to be the first of a nine point haul, although this was to be the only one from play.

David Dolan hit back with a superb free before a brilliant shot off the outside of the boot by Philip Patton took the hosts into the lead.

Two Hugh McFadden dead balls took Killybegs back into the lead, but Phililp Patton had the sides level once more 13 minutes in after Shane McGrath did well to win the free.

After that initial sparring Aodh Ruadh began to take command of proceedings. They won four kick outs in succession and scored from every single won.

The first was an unlikely effort from Damien Cleary as the Ernesiders edged back in front.

Shane McGrath got on the end of a good move before Seamus Kane arrowed over a fine effort.

The goal arrived 16 minutes in, Aodh Ruadh winning the kick out and sending direct ball in to Jason Granaghan who flicked across the face of goal to Shane McGrath who palm home.

With 10 left to play in the half Philip Patton teed up Seamus Kane for a lovely measured effort. A minute later Colm Kelly had a shot on goal deflected over the bar to make it 1-8 to 0-3.

David McGurrin got in for another shot on goal only to see it put out for a 45, but Peter Boyle successfully converted the long range kick.

The sides swapped scores in the run in to the break with two Hugh McFadden frees matched by two glorious carbon copy efforts from David Dolan. One both occasions he won Peter Boyle's kick out before stretching the legs and scorching over from distance. That left it 1-11 to 0-5 at the break with Aodh Ruadh full value for their nine point lead.

Hugh McFadden opened the second half scoring, with Philip Patton quickly cancelling that one out.

Five minutes in came an absolutely glorious goal from Shane McGrath. He won the ball on the left before cutting in past two markers and placing a delicious shot into the bottom left corner.

Declan Breslin hit back for a point, but again Aodh Ruadh struck back in the most punishing fashion possible. Again it was McGrath on the mark, this time somehow managing to net through a crowd and from an acute angle.

Hugh McFadden split the posts with another dead ball before Ballyshannon showed their class once more. A brilliant ball from Phillip Patton was collected by Shane McGrath before he fired over an equisite shot.

Declan Nolan hoisted over Killybegs' ninth score, a point followed by another good shot from McGrath.

As the game wound down Killybegs started to get a bit more joy from their attack, Hugh McFadden hitting two frees and Eoghan Bán Gallagher sending over from open play.

However any slim hopes of a late revival for the Fintra men were firmly extinguished when Johnny Gallagher raided through on goal before flicking over to Michael 'Sticky' Ward to slot into the open goal.

A Hugh McFadden 45 drew down the curtain on a tough day at the office fo Killybegs.

An exceptional team performance from the hosts, with Peter Boyle pulling off two exquisite fingertip saves to ensure the clean sheet

This win, combined with Naomh Columba's draw against MacCumhaill's sends Aodh Ruadh clear at the top of the division two table. Jason Granaghan and Eamonn McGrath were excellent at half back while David Dolan was once again unmarkable in the middle of the pitch. Philip Patton pulled the strings with consummate acumen while Nathan Boyle and Seamus Kane were real fonts of creativity in the attack. Man of the match goes to Shane McGrath whose 3-3 haul was a testament to some predatory finishing,

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